State Assembly Votes To Celebrate Ethnic Studies In California

May 23, 2011

ACR 34 (Lara) acknowledges and celebrates the history and accomplishments of California’s ethnic studies programs

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Assembly passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution 34, authored by Assembly Member Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens). ACR 34 highlights the importance of ethnic studies as an academic discipline and recognizes its research, scholarship and programs that study and teach the experiences, history, culture and heritage of African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanas/os and Latinas/os, Native Americans, and other persons of color in the United States.

“At a time when ethnic studies programs throughout the nation are under attack, it is important for me, as an ethnic studies major, to have our State legislature recognize the invaluable contributions of California’s ethnic studies departments and programs, including their faculty, staff and students,” said Assembly Member Lara.

ACR 34 distinguishes the contributions made by ethnic studies to the California system of higher education and highlights the prominent role of ethnic studies at California’s public colleges and universities. Specifically, it recognizes that thousands of beneficiaries of ethnic studies programs have contributed greatly to the academic rigor, prominence and distinguishing qualities of California’s colleges and universities.